GM concedes it knew of the problem in 2004; it also knew of 13 deaths

As it issues an almost-unprecedented public apology, General Motors finds itself beset from all sides as it struggles to contain the damage from its massive recall of 1.6 million vehicles equipped with ignition switches that may inadvertently shut off, leaving drivers with no power steering, brakes or airbags.

"We deeply regret the events that led to the recall and this investigation. As our detailed chronology indicates, we intend to fully cooperate with NHTSA and we wel...

The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing that may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners will be mailed an interim notification in early May 2016 and will be mailed a second notice when remedy parts are available. Until the repairs have been made, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.

Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 42190.

The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing that may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.

The electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK

General Motors is recalling model year 2016-2017 Buick Veranos and 2016 Chevrolet Malibus whose electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK.

If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may roll away as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buiick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's numbers for this recall are 50490 and 50491.

General Motors is recalling model year 2016-2017 Buick Veranos and 2016 Chevrolet Malibus whose electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK.

In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving. Should that occur, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of...

The ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.

If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.

It's a rare move but a sure way to solve the problem

General Motors is buying back about 800 cars and trucks from their owners rather than try to repair serious safety defects in the vehicles.

While not many cars and trucks are involved, it is rare for an automaker to buy back a vehicle.

The GM cars and trucks involved in the buyback were returned from leases and rentals, then refitted with leather aftermarket upholstery. GM discovered that the occupant sensing system that determines when the front passenger airbag should be turned on or off was engineered only for the original cloth interior.

GM executives concluded that a buyback was in the best interests of the company and would be less disruptive to customers. The vehicles will be salvaged for parts.

General Motors is buying back about 800 cars and trucks from their owners rather than try to repair serious safety defects in the vehicles.

While not many cars and trucks are involved, it is rare for an automaker to buy back a vehicle.

The GM cars and trucks involved in the buyback were returned from leases and rentals, then refitted with leather aftermarket upholstery. GM discovered that the occupant sensing system that determines when the front passenger airbag should be...

The front fuel tank strap bracket may separate from the vehicle

General Motors is recalling 1,558 model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured August 2, 2013, through August 12, 2013.

Due to insufficient welds, the front fuel tank strap bracket may separate from the vehicle. Should that happen, the increased load may lead to the failure of the other tank support. As a result, the fuel tank may come loose from the vehicle causing a fuel leak which, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front fuel tank strap bracket, and repair it as necessary, free of charge. The recall will begin in early November 2013.

Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13296.

General Motors is recalling 1,558 model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured August 2, 2013, through August 12, 2013.

Due to insufficient welds, the front fuel tank strap bracket may separate from the vehicle. Should that happen, the increased load may lead to the failure of the other tank support. As a result, the fuel tank may come loose from the vehicle causing a fuel leak which, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.

GM again expands ignition switch-related recall

Another 824,000 models are being added

General Motors is recalling an additional 824,000 to replace the ignition switches. That means all model years of its Chevrolet Cobalt, HHR, Pontiac G5, Solstice and Saturn Ion and Sky in the U.S. will get new switches because faulty switches may have been used to repair the vehicles.

The parts are at the center of the company’s recently announced ignition switch recall, which originally extended through the 2007 model year. About 95,000 faulty switches were sold to dealers and aftermarket wholesalers. Of those, about 90,000 were used to repair older vehicles that were repaired before they were recalled in February.

Recalling everything

Because it is not feasible to track down all the parts, the company is recalling 824,000 more vehicles in the U.S. to ensure that every car has a current ignition switch. GM says it is unaware of any reports of fatalities with this group of vehicles where a frontal impact occurred, the front air bags did not deploy and the ignition is in the “accessory” or “off” position.

As with the earlier recalls, if the torque performance is not to GM specification, the ignition switch may unintentionally move from the “run” position to the “accessory” or “off” positions, leading to a loss of power. The risk may be increased if the key ring is carrying added weight or if the vehicle goes off road or experiences some jarring event.

The timing of the key movement out of the “run” position relative to when the sensing algorithm of a crash may result in the air bags not deploying, increasing the potential for occupant injury in certain kinds of crashes.

Until the recall has been performed, GM is urging customers to remove all items -- including the key fob -- from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key.

“We are taking no chances with safety,” said GM CEO Mary Barra. “Trying to locate several thousand switches in a population of 2.2 million vehicles and distributed to thousands of retailers isn’t practical. Out of an abundance of caution, we are recalling the rest of the model years.

“We are going to provide our customers with the peace of mind they deserve and expect by getting the new switches into all the vehicles,” Barra said.

Affected models

GM records indicate the service parts may have been used for ignition repairs in:

2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalts

2008-2011 Chevrolet HHRs

2008-2010 Pontiac Solstice

2008-2010 Pontiac G5 and

2008-2010 Saturn Sky

Owners who may have had a suspect part installed will receive a letter the week of April 21. GM dealers will replace their ignition switch free of charge as parts become available.

Customers who paid to have their ignition switches replaced will be eligible for reimbursement.

General Motors is recalling an additional 824,000 to replace the ignition switches. That means all model years of its Chevrolet Cobalt, HHR, Pontiac G5, Solstice and Saturn Ion and Sky in the U.S. will get new switches because faulty switches may have been used to repair the vehicles.

The parts are at the center of the company’s recently announced ignition switch recall, which originally extended through the 2007 model year. About 95,000 faulty switches were sold t...

The hooks that secure the driver's and/or front passenger's seat frame may not have been properly attached to the vehicle body

General Motors is recalling 49,980 model year 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon trucks manufactured January 6, 2014, to April 1, 2015.

The hooks that secure the driver's and/or front passenger's seat frame may not have been properly attached to the vehicle body during assembly. Thus the seat may not be anchored adequately to the vehicle, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of an injury.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seats, correcting their installation as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in May 2015.

Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15150.

General Motors is recalling 49,980 model year 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon trucks manufactured January 6, 2014, to April 1, 2015.

The hooks that secure the driver's and/or front passenger's seat frame may not have been properly attached to the vehicle body during assembly. Thus the seat may not be anchored adequately to the vehicle, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of an injury.

Fluid may enter the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may al...

The windshield wiper motor may overheat when used, increasing the risk of a fire.

Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, GM will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing

GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 30, 2015.

Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15780.

The windshield wiper motor may overheat when used, increasing the risk of a fire.

Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, GM will make arrangements to pick up ...

Terms of Use Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use.

Advertisements on this site are placed and controlled by outside advertising networks. ConsumerAffairs.com does not evaluate or endorse the products and services advertised. See the FAQ for more information.

Partner with ConsumerAffairs for Brands If your company has a page on our site, we invite you to sign up for a Starter Account today to respond to your customers directly. Alternatively, you may call us at 1-866-773-0221.

The information on this Web site is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for competent legal advice. ConsumerAffairs.com makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information herein provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from the use thereof.